The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued the Independent Liquor Group (ILG) with a $10,200 penalty for misleading consumers with its “Aussie Beer” line of alcohol.
The ACCC found that the Aussie Beer product, which was supplied from March 2014 to August 2014, was clearly represented as being made in Australia when it was in fact produced in China.
The labelling on the packaging included the statements “100% owned” and “Australia’s Finest Malt”, had a map of Australia, and featured green and gold colours.
“Country of origin representations, particularly those designed to grab the eye of the consumer by using well known symbols, colours, or slogans, must be truthful,” ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said.
“Consumers will often place a premium on the provenance of a product, but are unable to check the accuracy of those claims. This is particularly the case with Australian made products which encourage consumers to support local industries. Consumers are entitled to expect that prominent representations made on packaging are accurate without having to check for disclosures in the fine print.”
